Hellobee

Meal time can be frustrating. AmIright? Or at least, I hope I’m not the only one who feels this way! I want my little guy to eat healthy and heartily, but sometimes I feel like he’s eating very little and with minimal variety. Before we moved into the world of solids, I pictured him eating all sorts of foods and doing so happily. But the reality is far from that – a large amount of the foods ends up on the floor or wall rather than in his mouth. He’ll throw the food on the floor without even trying it, feeds it to the dog, mashes it in his hands, hair, or smears it on his tray. Ahh!

It’s the battle of the ideal versus the reality. The ideal being a good eater in variety, amount consumed, and neatness. The reality being he has a few favorites, eats like a bird, and food ends up everywhere. Oh how I dreamed I’d have a toddler that loved food. His parents love food, so why not him? I dreamed he’d be like his father who I hear was a very adventurous eater as a kid.

And then I see these toddler meal pins on Pinterest like the 40 meal ideas for your toddler, except my toddler won’t eat half of what’s on those  items. Or the jealously I feel when another mom tells me how her little one eats everything.

I’m not sure what gets to me the most — the fact he likes something one day and not the next, all the wasted food, or the effort you put into preparing something only to have it rejected. I try hard to remind myself that he’s a toddler and all this is natural. I’ve been told they need to be messy and mash things in their hands and hair, that you need to try to offer something ten times before they can really make an opinion on it, try different preparations, yada yada yada. But inside I really feel like this:

When I went to our last check-up, the doctor said to just feed him what I want him to eat. Sure, that sounds easy. I went home with renewed determination, but then dinnertime rolled around and he didn’t eat the broccoli or meatball. What am I supposed to do, let him starve? It’s such a battle inside me. Am I turning him into a picky eater by offering him food after he’s rejected the stuff I want him to eat? Am I overly concerned about him getting enough to eat? I don’t want him to wake up hungry in the night. Am I giving him the rights foods for good nutrition? Are any of my weird habits rubbing off on him?

Oh, and the social aspect. You’re supposed to eat together to show them how food is social and they can see how you eat. During the week, we manage breakfast with him, but his lunch and dinner are so early. And 90% of the meal I am feeding and attending to him that I barely get a bite in. Then it’s almost impossible to prep dinner done by 5pm for us to eat together, plus my husband isn’t home until 7pm.

I had no idea how hard something you think is so natural could be so hard! I also wonder…am I the only one that feels this way? Are there other moms out there with these problems? I think the answer is yes, but sometimes I feel all alone in this battle.

Here I am yammering along about my troubles and worries. I have picked up a few tricks over the past few months (is that really all it’s been?). Since I’m pretty sure there are more of you out there with these troubles, I thought I’d share.

• Use a fork or spoon (if possible) – He’s still learning, but if I put something on a fork for him he often tries putting it in his mouth. Or, if I give him the fork, he’ll try to get it in his mouth as well.
• Let your kid eat – Occasionally he’ll eat something if I feed something to him, but usually he’d rather do it himself. I try to give foods that are finger ready (Ha, soup is a no-go for us right now).
• Pretend (or actually) eat it yourself – I get goofy with exaggerated chewing and going “yummm,” but he gets a kick out of it and often grabs for the food, too.
• Airplane into his mouth – This isn’t always a winner, but if I’m desperate I make his food fly through the air with sound effects and then into his mouth.
• Sing-a-Song – A song about the food, of course. My go-to is Raffi’s I like to Eat Apples and Bananas. I also enjoy making up my own songs.
• Step away for a second – Sometimes he’ll magically eat if I just walk into the kitchen for a moment. Plus, this gives you a breather.
• Bringing a new food to the mix – When the food starts flying, it’s a good sign to change it up.
• Do the harder foods first – I like to give him veggies and heartier items first in hopes that hunger will propel him to eat it.
• Save favorites for last – Right now the favorite is fruit. He always seems to eat fruit. I save this for last since he’ll often reject other food if I give it to him first. I’m pretty sure he thinks, “why would I eat this toast if there is an orange just over there?”

This is what’s working now. Ask me again in a few months and I’m sure it’ll totally change. What are your tips?! I would love to know if you have any awesome ideas — or if you feel they way I do!